Male vs. Female Goldendoodle: Which One is Better?
While you are deciding whether to buy a male or a female Goldendoodle, it’s essential to dispel some associated myths. I had both for a year and can demystify several Tom and Jerry stories related to them.
Recognize that individual dogs may differ in temperament irrespective of gender.
While some general perceptions exist, such as the idea that males are more aggressive, these are not universally accepted facts.
You should note that behavioral traits like barking and chewing are influenced by genetics rather than gender.
The evident difference between both genders is in terms of health issues and physical appearance. Therefore, you should consider factors like size and coat attributes, etc.
The is a risk of specific cancers that should also play a role in the decision. Be informed that neutering also offers behavioral benefits for both genders.
Overall, the choice should align with individual preferences and lifestyle, emphasizing positive training and consistent care as pivotal factors for a fulfilling relationship with your Goldendoodle.
Let’s explore all of this in detail in the subsequent sections of this article.
Male Goldendoodles vs. Female Goldendoodle Personality
When it comes to the discussion of whether to choose a male or female Goldendoodle, one must consider the personality traits. Some of those are merely one’s perception that could be wrong but I have stated what I have observed and heard from the dog owners. Let’s explore a bit more so that you can make an informed decision before adopting a Goldendoodle.Â
Understanding Personality Traits vs. Temperament
Temperament is something that is pre-embedded in the personality of a dog. Temperament in dogs is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, socialization, training, and individual personality.
Generally, there is a perception that male Goldendoodles are aggressive. But it is not a universally accepted fact. Some of the female Goldendoodles could also be barking and energetic way more than male Goldendoodles.
Analyzing Behavioral Differences Between Male and Female Dogs
If you are looking for a well-behaved breed of dog, Goldendoodles is closer to the idea. You might be concerned about the behavior of the new member of your family because you want it to be mild-mannered so that you can train it well. Right?
Well, there is no potent evidence to prove whether a male Goldenddoles has any drastic difference from a female in terms of behavior. Most of the dog owners that I have interacted with often state that female dogs are more brave, more energetic, and more emotional than male Goldendoodles.
Statistically, Females are dominating the space. But you can have an easy time training both of them. However, it could be a little tricky to train an adult Goldendoodle of both genders.Â
Barking, Chewing, and Scratching: Canines’ Behavioral Patterns
While discussing the matter of barking, chewing, and scratching, both the male and female Goldendoodles behave the same.
You need to maintain their routine and training sessions to let them do better in the future. Some of the male Goldendoodle that I have seen are calmer but sometimes they tend to be very aggressive while barking, chewing, and scratching. Therefore, it’s not about the gender but the genetic context of the breed.
Moreover, professional dog trainers never bother if their subject is a male or a female.
Territory Marking and Humping: Decoding Canine Social Behavior
Territory Marking and humping are something that could be annoying for you especially when your little kids ask what your Goldendoodles are up to. Let’s analyze if this is normal for males and females.
Exploring Territory Marking
Territory marking is often observed among Goldendoodles when they are at the onset of sexual maturity. This is pretty normal and you should not be concerned about it.
Urine marking is frequently observed in intact males, although it is not uncommon for neutered males and spayed females to engage in this behavior as well.
When urine marking, male dogs and certain female dogs often raise a leg. It’s worth noting that the urine marks typically consist of a small volume of urine.
Addressing Humping Behavior and Correction Methods
There is a phase in dogs when they observe some changes in themselves. It’s just like the teenage phase among humans. This is the time when they display humping as well.
Surprisingly, these behaviors are seen for both genders among Goldendoodles.
Redirecting and employing positive reinforcement stand out as the most practical and effective long-term strategies for curbing undesirable behaviors.
Here are some additional techniques that can be helpful in this context:
- Taking an un-house-trained goldendoodle puppy for potty breaks every one to two hours, calmly but firmly addressing indoor marking, and promptly moving it outside.
- Utilizing an enzyme cleaner in case of indoor marking, followed by applying a deterrent to discourage repeated incidents in the same location.
- Distracting a dog engaged in humping behavior by offering a favorite toy or initiating a game, then showering it with praise upon cessation. Given their high intelligence, Goldendoodles respond well to positive reinforcement.
Physical Variances: Male vs. Female Goldendoodle Anatomy
Size Matters: Getting into Size Differences
Size is certainly the most dominant factor when buying any Goldedoodle. There are concrete variations when comparing a male and female Goldendoodle.
Generally, the male Goldendoodles are 10% bigger than a female Goldendoodle. But surprisingly, the rate of growth of female goldendoodles is more than male Goldendoodles. Despite that male Goldendoodles will ultimately end up larger.
When buying a toy, miniature, or micro mini Goldendoodles, the aspect of size is almost negligible.Â
Coat and Grooming: The Gender-specific Attributes
Both the male and female Goldendoodles would require grooming and haircut after 2 to 3 months at least. Their coat needs regular maintenance. Provided that they have similar genetic origins, they would shed at a similar rate which is not much for both.
Because of one’s smaller size, and more energy, shedding for a female Goldendoodle could be slightly more but that is not something based on which you should be choosing gender or your Goldendoodle.
Health Considerations for Male and Female Goldendoodles
Health considerations of Goldendoodle become quite significant when choosing the gender of your Goldendoodle for adoption.
Female Goldendoodles that haven’t been fixed go through something like a period and might have a higher chance of getting certain kinds of cancers.
On the other hand, only male Goldendoodles can get prostate cancer and infections in their pee-pee area. But, if you get your Goldendoodle fixed early on, you can almost completely get rid of the risk of these problems.
Other than these issues, there are some common issues found among Goldendoodles which include Hip dysplasia, Thyroid issues, Eye disease, Addison’s disease, Bloating, etc.
Neutered vs. Unneutered Males and Females: Making an Informed Decision
One vital question while buying or adopting a Goldendoodle is to ask if the dog is neutered or unneutered.
A neutered dog is medically not capable of producing more babies for itself.
Most people who know a lot about dogs think that the changes between dogs that have been fixed and those that haven’t been bigger than the differences between girl and boy Goldendoodles.
Here are some of the accepted facts about neutered Goldendoodles expressed by experts:
- Neutered doodles usually aren’t aggressive at all, displaying less aggression.
- They focus less on other dogs and are more obedient.
- Neutered male doodles don’t get prostate and testicular cancer.
- Female doodles don’t experience periods.
- They mark territory less frequently.
- They demonstrate less leg-lifting.
- Neutered doodles display less humping behavior.
Debunking Myths: Male and Female Goldendoodles Unveiled
There are zillions of myths associated with Goldendoodles. Some of those are true to a certain extent but let’s debunk them one by one.
Myth#1: A Male Doodle Is Harder to Train
In general, both male and female Goldendoodles tend to learn house training at a similar pace. Your training efforts guide them not to mark inside, and reinforcement is essential regardless of gender.
However, it’s worth noting that house-training may be more challenging for unneutered males and dogs neutered after the age of six months.
Myth#2: Female Doodles’ Urine Burns Grass
Here’s something strange, but folks who love their lawns and have pets might have seen it. Even though any strong pet pee can harm grass, female dogs can have a bigger effect because they squat instead of lifting their leg.
To stop this problem, make sure your dog drinks plenty of water. Put out more water bowls at home and in the yard, or add extra water to their food.
Myth#3: Male Doodles Tend to Be More Affectionate
Goldendoodles excel as service dogs, therapy dogs, and champions in obedience. This holds for both males and females because the breed itself is naturally loving and sweet.
While individual dogs may have personality differences, these aren’t significantly linked to gender.
Myth#4: Male dogs prefer female owners
It’s inaccurate to say that male dogs favor female owners or that female dogs prefer male owners. The idea discussed earlier about certain pairs getting along better applies only to dogs themselves, not to dogs and their human companions.
Dogs and owners of any gender can form strong bonds, especially when trained using positive methods, and when the owner dedicates quality time to building a connection with them.
Myth#5: Females Tend to Be More Independent and Moody
Similarly, independence and moodiness are characteristics that differ among dogs, regardless of their gender. Some people may share stories that suggest female dogs are more anxious and irritable than males, but there’s no scientific evidence supporting this notion.
Myth#6: Males Tend to Show More Aggressive Behavior
Desexing greatly reduces aggression in males, and instances of aggression in female Goldendoodles are extremely rare. Regarding behaviors like barking, biting, and impulse control, the effectiveness of your training and the consistency of your dog’s routine matter more than their gender.
Myth#7: Only a Male Dog Displays Humping Behavior
Humping is a very natural behavior in all dogs and isn’t a cause for worry. Even though it’s not ideal, you can easily train your pet to stop this behavior using redirection and positive reinforcement.
The Bottom Line: Choosing Your Goldendoodle
So should you be choosing a male Goldendoodle or a female? The answer to this cannot be generalized as it is not like one-size-fits-all.
Whether to buy a male or female Goldendoodle depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle.
Both genders of Goldendoodle can make wonderful companions for you and your kids. You should consider factors like size, temperament, and any specific traits you desire.
I would recommend you spend some time with individual dogs to see which one aligns better with your preferences and lifestyle.
About Author
Sarah Brown is a Goldendoodle enthusiast. Her content makes the general audience aware of pet care, adoption, rescue, grooming, healthcare, and overall well-being. With a heart full of love and a mind rich with knowledge, she is the go-to guru for all things Goldendoodle.